Timothy McSweeney's Header Image

- - - -

Just in time for Valentine's Day,
the Guardian in London has
reviewed and raved about
The Secret Language of Sleep.
And, for the rest of the week,
you can buy it for $5!

- - - -

Stranger Danger:
A Guide for Kids.

BY WENDY MOLYNEUX

- - - -

Nurses

What is a nurse?

A nurse is a lady who helps a doctor. Nurses are always women because women can't be doctors. That is because they aren't smart enough. Women have trouble paying attention in class because they are so boy crazy.

What do nurses look like?

Nurses wear white dresses and hats with red crosses on them. They are subtly alluring, because there is always a chance that they are naughty, naughty nurses.

Are nurses dangerous?

Yes, but it's the good kind of danger.


Policemen

What is a policeman?

Policemen are also known as cops or pigs. You will know that a cop is near when you smell bacon.

What do policemen look like?

Policemen usually have handlebar mustaches, and are always turning in their badges to grizzled sergeants after going outside the law to save an innocent dame's life.

Where can I find a policeman if I need one?

You can find a policeman in a donut shop or a bar. To get their attention, shout, "This is a holdup!"


Communists

What is a Communist?

Communists are people who think we should all give up our possessions and run around naked all the time. They are always drinking absinthe, smoking tiny cigarettes, and playing bongos and harps.

What do Communists look like?

Communists wear berets and carry around manuscripts for the novels they're writing. You will know you are talking to a Communist if he calls you "Comrade," or says, "I hate America. Let's get naked."

Are Communists dangerous?

I don't know. Maybe you don't like having a TV and a car and sleeping on a bed made out of money. Maybe you'd rather live in Mother Russia, where the only thing the kids have to play with is a block of wood they painted a face on and nicknamed "Blocky."


Dads

What is a dad?

A dad is a man who never meant to hurt you or your mother. He loves you very much, but he's just gotta be free.

What does Dad look like?

Dad looks a lot more relaxed since he moved out of the house. He grew a mustache and his new girlfriend, Kim-Kim, really digs it.

Where can I find Dad if I need him?

Sorry, but Daddy can't tell you that. Daddy can't reveal his location, because Daddy is a spy who works for the government. Oh, man, I shouldn't have said that, but you can keep a secret, right? He wishes he could see you more often, but he has a lot of secret business to do, sometimes in Europe, sometimes in space. Daddy will be back for your birthday, and then Daddy will take you to Medieval Times like he promised. If you play your cards right, he might even give you a ride home.

- - - -

OTHER McSWEENEY'S FEATURES:

- - - -

Stranger Danger: A Guide for Kids By Wendy Molyneux
The Future Dictionary of America Contest Winners
Summer Vacation at Burning Man By G. Xavier Robillard
This Bible You Sold Me Is Clearly Defective and I'd Like to Return It, Please By Matthew Simmons
What Color Is Your Sippy Cup? By J. Daniel Janzen

- - - -

MAIN PAGE | ARCHIVES



Memories of Amanda Davis




Red dot denotes content that is new today.

Black dot denotes newish content.

McSWEENEY'S STORE

SUBSCRIBE TO:
McSWEENEY'S
THE BELIEVER
WHOLPHIN

FUTURE McSWEENEY'S BOOKS

THE AMANDA DAVIS HIGHWIRE FICTION AWARD

INVITE A McSWEENEY'S AUTHOR TO SPEAK IN YOUR TOWN OR COLLEGE

THE BEST AMERICAN NONREQUIRED READING

McSWEENEY'S MONTHLY MAILING LIST

BOOKSTORES WITH A McSWEENEY'S DISPLAY

McSWEENEY'S-RELATED EVENTS AND VARIOUS TOUR DATES

ORDER INQUIRIES AND ADDRESS CHANGES

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
FOR BOOKS
FOR THE QUARTERLY
FOR THE WEBSITE
FOR WHOLPHIN

McSWEENEY'S INTERNSHIPS

CONTACT US

- - - -

LETTERS TO McSWEENEY'S

LISTS

McSWEENEY'S RECOMMENDS

REVIEWS OF NEW FOOD

NEW WHOLPHIN FILM

TEDDY WAYNE'S UNPOPULAR PROVERBS

NON-ESSENTIAL MNEMONICS

BITCHSLAP: A COLUMN ABOUT WOMEN AND FIGHTING

DISPATCHES FROM A GUY TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY
TO SELL A SONG IN NASHVILLE


GLOBAL WAR ON BEDBUGS: LETTERS FROM BEDBUG CITY

THE CONFLICTED EXISTENCE OF A FEMALE PORN WRITER

OH MY GAWD: A COLUMN ABOUT A TEENAGER NAVIGATING RELIGION

DISPATCHES FROM MANILA

DISPATCHES FROM AN INDIAN CASINO

THE CONVERGENCES CONTEST

CHRIS WHITE ANSWERS PROFOUND
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESIDENTS


REPORTS FROM THE PINBALL SCENE

LETTERS FROM THE HELLBOX

NOTES FROM AN AMATEUR SPECTATOR
AT AMATEUR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTS


B.R. COHEN'S DAYS AT THE MUSEUM

CONVERSATIONS AT A WARTIME CAFÉ

GRANT MUNROE'S CORPORATE FOLKTALES

SARAH WALKER SHOWS YOU HOW

DISPATCHES FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER
WHO IS TRYING TO GROW A MUSTACHE


DISPATCHES FROM A HANGDOG BANKRUPT

DISPATCHES FROM THE CAPITAL

DISPATCHES FROM INDIA

THE WINNER'S CIRCLE WITH ERIC FEEZELL

SEAN MICHAELS LISTENS TO MUSIC IN MONTREAL

SHORT IMAGINED MONOLOGUES

STAINED TEETH: A COLUMN ABOUT WINE

YOUR MONEY, YOUR JOB ... YOUR LIFE, WITH ALISON ROSEN

KEVIN DOLGIN TELLS YOU ABOUT PLACES YOU SHOULD GO IN EUROPE

LETTERS FROM AN EARTH BALL
TO, OR CONCERNING, SEAN HANNITY


E-MAILS SENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FLAG-FOOTBALL TEAM


TRAVELING EUROPE IN STYLE WITH AUCKLAND DINGIROO,
DARK-AGE TOURIST AND CRITIC OF FOOD AND DRINK


JOHN MOE'S POP-SONG CORRESPONDENCES

INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL JOBS

FLIP: A COLUMN ABOUT SKATEBOARDING

OPEN LETTERS TO PEOPLE OR ENTITIES WHO ARE UNLIKELY TO RESPOND

BEN GREENMAN'S FAKE CELBRITY MUSICALS

DISPATCHES FROM A PUBLIC LIBRARIAN

EXCERPTS FROM THE PANORAMA

SOLUTIONS TO BENJAMIN TAUSIG'S
THREE-DEMENSIONAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE
IN THE SAN FRANCISCO PANORAMA


ABOUT A VERY BAD WIZARD

ABOUT THE WILD THINGS

ABOUT THE CONVALESCENT

ABOUT FEVER CHART

ABOUT GOD SAYS NO

ABOUT ZEITOUN

- - - -

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL